Postcard from Toulouse, France: Ambling along the river and canals

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I know not who might have contributed this perky long-eared fellow to this arch in the Pont Neuf in Toulouse, but his perch offers a prime view of the waters of the Garonne flowing from the Spanish Pyrenees toward Bordeaux and of those wandering along its banks. Finished in 1659 yet never losing the word “new” in its name, the handsome red brick and light-colored stone bridge took more than a century to complete.

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Postcard from Bordeaux, France: Last images before pulling out

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The trams in Bordeaux are sleek, modern, comfortable and clean as they quietly surf about 50 miles of track in the city. We tend to walk wherever we head, but they certainly were easy and convenient when we wanted to go to the train station for excursions or, ultimately after a month, to leave town.

Leaving behind a smattering of snapshots.

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Postcard from Bordeaux, France: French and other worldly flavors

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Above: Grilled fresh sardines at La Pointe Chartrons

We’ve taken you to eat, virtually only, in Bordeaux’s Marche des Capucins and along Rue du Ha, so now we’re going to wander willy-nilly through the city for a final wrap-up of restaurants we sampled.

Located along the Quai des Chartrons, Pastel was among our favorite contemporary French restaurants in Bordeaux. Lunch requires reservations, and, waiting late, we only succeeded in obtaining those once. The soft lemony cheese appetizer with eggplant and tomato confit was particularly refreshing and memorable.

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